A Bridge Approach is a section of road leading up to or away from a bridge. The length of road considered to be part of the bridge approach will depend on the type of bridge in question and a number of other factors, but will however typically extend at least to the end of the bridge guardrail and/or pavement width changes associated with the bridge - perhaps 20-30m either side of the bridge abutments.

Councils may be responsible for the maintenance of bridge approaches even if the bridge in question is not a council bridge.